“What does one wear to a tea party?” I wondered. A Google search told me it involved a dainty dress, a pair of lady shoes to match, a string of pearls, and a hat. I had none of these (I’ve been dressing like a man, apparently) so I put together the girliest outfit I could think of and relied on the hat to make up for what the rest of my ensemble lacked.
Writer’s Bar located at the lobby of Raffles Hotel in Makati recently launched its Glam Hatters Afternoon Tea, a unique take on the traditional English ritual. The idea for the hats was inspired by a tea party thrown by Tessa Prieto-Valdes. Afternoon tea is a staple at Writer’s Bar and you can experience its glamorous version every Monday from 2:30 to 5:30PM for P1,150++ (good for two).
The first step, of course, is choosing your hat or fascinator from one of the tall shelves in the library-themed bar (those are real books on the shelves, in case you were wondering). The hats are from Hat Momma and are hand-made with indigenous materials. There’s a mirror just nearby so you can easily check how you look (and snap a classy selfie).
Then, (gracefully) plop yourself down on one of the plush seats and choose your tea, which are all by Harney and Sons. I chose a Dorchester Breakfast because it sounded fancy (I did a search on it later on and found out it was the name of a county town in England, among others), one of the choices for black tea and was pleasant with a little milk and a sugar cube. Other choices for tea include Paris (a fruity black tea with vanilla and caramel flavors and a hint of Bergamot) and White Vanilla Grapefruit (a light and citrus-y white tea). Green and herbal teas as well as ginger oolong are also on the book of teas.
The food is served by course, allowing us ladies to enjoy each one at a leisurely pace. It starts with a selection of sandwiches: classic cucumber with basil pesto, smoked salmon with horseradish cream and capers (my personal favorite), beef tenderloin and Dijonnaise dressing, egg salad on sundried tomato roll, and smoked ham with gherkins and onions.
Next, a duo of scones: soft and freshly-baked classic plain and ones with dried currants. Just slather on clotted cream and locally-made preserves generously for utmost pleasure.
Lastly, delectable and dainty French pastries are served on a tiered plate: colorful fruit tartlets (the lemon custard was particularly unforgettable for me), a selection of pâte à choux (Gianduja religieuse or hazelnut and vanilla snowmen, vanilla banana éclair and orange choux), signature macarons, dark flourless chocolate cake, and pistachio orange cake.
Macarons and cakesAs you sip your tea (pinky up!) and enjoy the miniature-sized yet filling spread still with your fancy hat firmly in place, you notice other details that add richness to the afternoon’s experience: the attentive staff, the pianist playing glittering notes on a piano nearby, and the pinkish glow of the lights overhead. If you have more time, you can have a glass of Billecart-Salmon champagne for P900++ per person.
Next time, I should be dressed more appropriately. I have to think about the pearls, though.
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Glam Hatters Afternoon Tea is available for Php 1,150++ good for two people (price is subject to service charge and applicable government taxes). Add P900++ per person for a glass of Billecart-Salmon champagne. Writer’s Bar is located at the lobby of Raffles Hotel in Makati. For more information and reservations, please call the Raffles Makati Restaurant Reservations at 555-9840, or e-mail dining.makati@raffles.com. Connect with Raffles on Facebook (RafflesMakati) or follow them on Twitter (@RafflesMakati).
